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Critically acclaimed writer Grace Carroll presents
Drag Baby – hilarious and heart-warming new
play on queer friendships and chosen family
Pleasance London, Downstairs, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London, N7 9EF
Tuesday 4th June – Saturday 22nd June 2024

Following the critically acclaimed Wet, Grace Carroll’s new play will be coming to Pleasance London this June. A compelling blend of drag performance and theatre, Drag Baby follows the lives of misanthropic drag queen Dan, and his estranged ex-girlfriend, Sally, who reappears in his life to make an all-important request. The pair rekindle their long-lost friendship as Dan decides whether or not to be Sally and her girlfriend’s sperm donor.

Directed by Joseph Winer, this heart-warming story is sprinkled with outrageously entertaining drag. Winer is known best for VAULT favourite I F*cked You in My Spaceship, which won the Origins Award for Outstanding New Work before transferring to Soho Theatre last year. Following a 5-star work-in-progress run at the King’s Head Theatre in 2022, Drag Baby is now set to impress at Pleasance London’s Downstairs Studio, for a 3-week run.

Drag Baby is a queer-led and hilarious narrative, telling a story of friendship, legacy and chosen family. Grappling between his old and new life, Dan must put his fame obsession to one side to make a life-changing decision. Now, he must think about more than getting on TV and decide whether to follow a nobler pursuit: sperm donation. Relationships are renewed and strained, and while drag mentee Nathan struggles to come to terms withDan’s arrangement, chosen families come together.

Grace Carroll’s second play follows debut Wet, which played to sold-out audiences at Theatre N16 and Perdu Theatre Amsterdam. Her play Swipe also appears in the first Little Pieces of Gold Collection “Short Plays with Great Roles for Women”, published by Routledge.

Carroll comments, Drag Baby has been a long labour of love for me and the characters now feel like family rather than people on a page. It feels more important than ever to share this story about a messy bisexual and a drag queen contemplating making a baby in an environment where LGBTQ+ people, gender fluidity and drag are becoming increasingly under attack.

As I entered my 30s the main thing on my mind was making babies, I kept on thinking if I ended up with a female partner, how would the process be? And who would I choose to be the father? The first thought that came to my mind was “I would want the father to be a drag queen” and thus Drag Baby was born. I am so thrilled that this play, which is a love letter to drag and queer community, has found a home at the Pleasance Islington, and I can’t wait for more people to meet these chaotic but hopefully loveable characters.

Previous praise for Drag Baby:

a contemporary piece of work that is conversational, realistic, witty and sometimes brutally
honest… a great piece of queer theatre – ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ London Pub Theatres

Drag Baby is a truly impressive play. – ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ LondonTheatre1

Drag Baby has received generous support from Arts Council England.

Actor, Director and Humanitarian Ben Nealon OBE sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 Questions. Ben is currently appearing in 12 Angry Men, at Windsor Theatre Royal until Saturday 30 March and on tour around the UK, tickets can be found here

Let’s Start with a few favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)? 

I would have to say Dial M for Murder directed by Shaun Mathias.  I found out on the Friday I had the role and needed to be ready for the Monday.  I then received a phone call from Bill Kenwright to say forget the script I’d learnt, I was now the lead part of Tony Wendice.  And I managed to learn the entire role in very little time.  So that is my favourite.

Favourite book?

A childhood favourite – The Lord of the Rings

Favourite theatre? 

Windsor Theatre Royal.  I’ve appeared in this theatre every year for many years.  I was in Windsor filming for Soldier Soldier, and if I had known then how much time I would spend in Windsor, I think I would have bought a house here

Favourite song?

Orpheus by David SIlvian

Favourite music? 

Indie – stuff like The Smiths, Lloyd Cole and James

Favourite food? 

Japanese

Favourite drink? 

Double Espresso

What is your favourite role? 

Tony Wendice in Dial M for Murder

What was your first role? 

I was an Angel in the Nativity, with a coathangar for my halo.  But professionally my first role was PC 1 in Between the Lines in 1993.

And what role would you really like to play? 

I think I’m too old now (fairypowered disagrees), but I’d like to be Malcolm in the Scottish Play.  I did it in Drama School but never since.

If you weren’t a performer what would you be?

International Development  I think.  Ben received an OBE in 2012 for his services to Pump Aid.

What made you decide to be a performer? 

I wanted to tell stories to change the world’s perceptions.  To be a storyteller.  This current play, 12 Angry Men does just that.  Its theme’s are as relevant now as when it was written.

Do you enjoy touring?

Yes, but it’s tough on my wife and daughter.  They can no longer come on tour with me.  But I get to see my extended family as I tour the country.  Its regular income and job security and I get paid to see parts of the UK and Ireland I might not normally get the chance to see.

What advice would you give to 16 year old you?

I wouldn’t!  I would let him carry on doing what he is doing.  57 year old Ben is very happy and that is with the choices 16 year old Ben made.  So I would say nothing

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing?

I have done both.  I enjoy Directing but I find Producing very frustrating, taking me further and further away from the creative process.

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed? 

The Girl from the North Country and my daughters Nativity, she was Mary

Favourite line from any show? 

 Not a show as such, but from Golfer Gary Player.  “The more I practise, the luckier I get”

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be? 

Daniel Day Lewis

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?

Someone once gave me a beautiful crystal wand that had been made in New Zealand

Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

The rest of the tour of 12 Angry Men.  It’s a great group of actors and I’m really enjoying it.  And then hopefully there will be another show for me to star in

Max Bowden will star on stage in 

Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong

Touring from September to November 2024

Presented by Original Theatre & JAS Theatricals 

in association with Birdsong Productions & Wiltshire Creative 

Award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the roles of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders and Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road, will star as Jack Firebrace in Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss,when it returns to the stage in a brand-new production for 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. 

The critically acclaimed show, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley, tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War. 

Max Bowden said: “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Original Theatre again on a project close to my heart. Birdsong highlights the tragedy of war, yet the beauty of humanity simultaneously through strong relationships under extreme circumstances, and I can’t wait to bring Jack Firebrace to life under their guidance.”

Alastair Whatley, Director of Birdsong and Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said “Max joined us to play the character of Tipper, a young soldier, in the 2016 tour of Birdsong and now the best part of a decade later returns to play the wonderful role of Jack Firebrace. I cannot wait to get back in the rehearsal room with Max to explore one of Sebastian’s most unforgettable characters.”

In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.

Presented by Original Theatre & JAS Theatricals in association with Birdsong Productions & Wiltshire Creative, Birdsong will tour to Salisbury Playhouse (6-14 Sept), Leeds Playhouse (17-21 Sept), Cambridge Arts Theatre (23-28 Sept), Richmond Theatre (1-5 October), Liverpool Playhouse Theatre (8-12 Oct), Theatre Royal Nottingham (15-19 Oct), Everyman Theatre Cheltenham (22-26 Oct), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (28 Oct-2 Nov), Chichester Festival Theatre (4-9 Nov), Norwich Theatre Royal (12-16 Nov), Malvern Theatres (19-23 Nov) and Theatre Royal Bath (25-30 Nov).

Birdsong, a mesmerising story of love and courage, is produced by the award-winning Original Theatre, who presented the smash hit productions of The Mirror Crack’d by Agatha Christie, Murder in the Dark, The Habit of Art and The Interview and Joshua Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of JAS Theatricals, whose current projects include Hadestown in the West End and a major UK tour of Cluedo 2.

The producers of Birdsong are working in partnership with the Royal British Legion, with associated fundraising details to be announced.

To book tickets, visit https://www.birdsongplay.com. 

There is nothing more than to love and be loved

LISTINGS

2024 TOUR DATES

6 – 14 September        Salisbury Playhouse – ON SALE SOON

wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on/category/salisbury-playhouse / 01722320333

17 – 21 September      Leeds Playhouse – NOW ON SALE

leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/birdsong / 01132137700

23 – 28 September      Cambridge Arts Theatre – ON SALE SOON

cambridgeartstheatre.com / 01223503333

1 – 5 October               Richmond Theatre – NOW ON SALE

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/birdsong/richmond-theatre/

8 – 12 October             Liverpool Playhouse Theatre – NOW ON SALE

https://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/birdsong / 01517094776       

15 – 19 October           Theatre Royal Nottingham – NOW ON SALE      

trch.co.uk/whats-on/birdsong / 01159895555

22 – 26 October           Everyman Theatre Cheltenham – NOW ON SALE 

https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/birdsong/  / 01242 572573

29 Oct – 2 Nov             Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – NOW ON SALE

https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/birdsong

4 – 9 November           Chichester Festival Theatre – ON SALE IN SEPTEMBER

cft.org.uk / 01243781312

12 – 16 November       Norwich Theatre Royal – NOW ON SALE

https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/birdsong/

19 – 23 November       Malvern Theatres – NOW ON SALE 

https://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/?s=birdsong  / 01684892277

25 – 30 November       Theatre Royal Bath – NOW ON SALE

https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/birdsong/

Show: Birdsong

Running Time: tbc

Website: https://www.birdsongplay.com

Age Guidance: 14+

Access information: check with individual venues

Category: theatre / drama 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

DUNCAN MACMILLAN’S SMASH HIT PLAY

PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS

PLAYING FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 14-WEEK RUN

AT THE TRAFALGAR THEATRE

FROM 3 MAY 2024

The National Theatre, Mark Gordon Pictures, Gavin Kalin Productions, Seaview and Second Half Productions, announce today full casting for the return of the original, smash hit production of People, Places and Things.Duncan Macmillan’s intoxicating play, directed by the acclaimed, award-winning Jeremy Herrin and originally co-produced by the National Theatre and Headlong, will makea triumphant return to London’s West End, running at the Trafalgar Theatre from 3 May until 10 August 2024.

As previously announced, Denise Gough will reprise her Olivier Award-winning role as Emma, a struggling actress whose life is spinning recklessly out of control.  She is joined by Sinéad Cusack (V for Vendetta, Warner Bros; Rock ‘n’ Roll, Royal Court Theatre) who will play the roles ofDoctor/Therapist/Mum, Malachi Kirby (Small Axe: Mangrove, BBC; upcoming Anansi Boys, Amazon Prime) who will play Mark, Danny Kirrane (The Sandman, Netflix; The Serpent Queen, Amazon Prime) who will play Foster and Kevin McMonagle (Scoop, Netflix; Best of Enemies, Young Vic) who will play the roles of Dad/Paul.

Holly Atkins (This Country, BBC; Sons of the Prophet, Hampstead Theatre), will play Charlotte, Paksie Vernon (Shetland, BBC; Angels in America: Part One, National Theatre) will play Jodi, Ryan Hutton (A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Royal Shakespeare Company; Only Fools and Horses, Theatre Royal Haymarket) will play Shaun, Ayọ̀ Owóyẹmi-Peters, will make her West End debut playing Laura and Dillon Scott-Lewis (Piglets, ITV; &Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre)will play T.  Completing the company are Russell Anthony (Call the Midwife, BBC; Trouble in Butetown, Donmar Warehouse) and Louise Templeton (Jayson Bend: Queen and Country, Amazon Prime; Sherlock Holmes: The Final Curtain, Theatre Royal Bath).

Emma was having the time of her life.  Now she’s in rehab.  Her first step is to admit that she has a problem.  But the problem isn’t with Emma, it’s with everything else.  She needs to tell the truth.  But she’s smart enough to know that there’s no such thing.  When intoxication feels like the only way to survive the modern world, how can she ever sober up?

Denise Gough won ‘Best Actress’ at the 2016 Olivier Awards and at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards for her ‘career defining performance’ (Evening Standard) as Emma in People Places and Things at the National Theatre in 2015.  Critics hailed her performance as ‘extraordinary’ (The Observer), ‘ingenious’ (New York Times) and ‘stunning’ (Time Out).  She went on to win her second Olivier Award (‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’, 2018) for her performance in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America for which she was nominated for a Tony Award ® (2018) when the National Theatre production transferred to Broadway.  Gough has also been nominated for a British Academy Television Award (2022) for her performance in Clara Salaman incendiary three-part ITV series Too Close.  More recently she played the role of Dedra Meero in Disney+’s hugely successful Star Wars spin-off series, Andor. 

Duncan Macmillan’s critically acclaimed play ‘mixes dark wit, intellectual ambition and emotional intelligence’ (The Times).  Other work includes Every Brilliant Thing (Paines Plough/Pentabus, Edinburgh, UK tour & New York), George Orwell’s 1984 (adapted with Robert Icke, Headlong/Nottingham Playhouse/Almeida/West End), Lungs (Paines Plough & Sheffield Theatres, Washington DC), Don Juan Comes Back From the War (Finborough) and Monster (Royal Exchange, Manchester).

Jeremy Herrin is Co-Director of Second Half Productions.  His ‘endlessly inventive staging’ (New York Times) of People Places and Things was during his tenure as Artistic Director of Headlong (2013-2020).   Current work includes, Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night starring Brian Cox at Wyndham’s Theatre and A Mirror at Trafalgar Theatre.  Other recent work includes Ulster American (Riverside Studios) and 2022 South Bank Show Award for ‘Best Theatre Production’, Best of Enemies (Young Vic/ West End). 

People, Places and Things garnered widespread critical acclaim when it had its world premiere at the National Theatre’s Dorfman theatre in September 2015 in a co-production with Headlong.  The production transferred to Wyndham’s Theatre in March 2016 in London’s West End before transferring to St. Ann’s Warehouse in New York in October 2017.   

The creative team includes director, Jeremy Herrin;set designer, Bunny Christie; costume designer, Christina Cunningham;lighting designer, James Farncombe; music, Matthew Herbert;sound designer, Tom Gibbons; video designer, Andrzej Goulding;movement director, Polly Bennett;casting by Jessica Ronane CDG CSA; and original casting by Wendy Spon. 

Bunny Christie will recreate her ‘cabinet-of-curiosities’ (New York Times) set design with on-stage seating, bringing an element of intimacy to this vivid and transfixing portrayal of addiction.  Tickets are on sale from £20.

Cast confirmed for MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre as booking extends into 2025.

Grool.

www.MeanGirlsMusical.com

• Charlie Burn, Georgina Castle, Elèna Gyasi, Grace Mouat, Elena Skye, Tom Xander, Daniel Bravo, Lucca Chadwick-Patel, Ako Mitchell and Zoë Rainey lead MEAN GIRLS West End cast
• 140,000 new tickets released as booking extends to 16 February 2025
• Over 45,000 tickets at £40 and under

Lorne Michaels, Sonia Friedman Productions, and David Ian for Crossroads Live – producers of MEAN GIRLS in the West End – are delighted to announce the full cast and creative team for MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre, as booking extends to 16 February 2025 with over 140,000 tickets released. The smash hit musical comedy based on the Paramount Pictures film of the same name which was released 20 years ago this April, will debut at the West End’s Savoy Theatre on 5 June 2024, with a Gala Opening on 26 June 2024.

Charlie Burn (Les Misérables, Disney100 UK tour) will play Cady Heron who after growing up in the African savanna returns to suburban Illinois and joins North Shore High. The Plastics are Georgina Castle (Dirty Dancing, Elf the Musical) as the charming but ruthless Regina George, with Elèna Gyasi (SIX – UK tour, Treason the Musical – UK tour) as Gretchen Wieners and Grace Mouat (Before After, The Great British Bake Off Musical) as Karen Smith. 

Elena Skye (Les Misérables, Kinky Boots) and Tom Xander (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Book of Mormon) play best friends Janis Sarkisian and Damian Hubbard.

Daniel Bravo (Cruel Intentions, Witness for the Prosecution) takes on the role of Aaron Samuels ‘one of the most popular guys’ at North Shore High, with Lucca Chadwick-Patel (MAMMA MIA!, Legally Blonde) as Kevin Ganatra, captain of ‘The Mathletes’.

Ako Mitchell (The Sound of Music, Black Superhero) will play North Shore Principal Mr Duvall, while Ms Norbury – the role originated in the 2004 film by MEAN GIRLS creator Tina Fey – will be played by Zoë Rainey (Made in Dagenham, An American in Paris) who also plays the roles of Mrs George and Ms Heron. 

They are joined by Tia Antoine-Charles, Georgia Arron, Liam Buckland, Shonah Buwu, Baylie Carson, Freddie Clements, Siobhan Diffin, Clíona Flynn, Fergie Fraser, Angus Good, Jenny Huxley-Golden, Holly Liburd, Corey Mitchell, Mervin Noronha, Aharon Rayner, Trézel Sergeant, Josh Singleton, Annie Southall, Lillia Squires, Tommy Wade-Smith and Holly Willock.

It’s gonna be a little bit dramatic…

Get in, loser, MEAN GIRLS is coming to London! Broadway’s hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team including writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), opens at the Savoy Theatre this summer.

Meet The Plastics –Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist parents, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs. Grab your friends and your cool mom, this is going to be fetch – and YES London, we’re making it happen!

The reign begins June 2024. If you want to sit with us, book your tickets and don’t forget… on Wednesdays, we wear pink.

Joining the award-winning creative team for MEAN GIRLS in the West End are Scott Pask – Scenic Design, Katrina Lindsay – Costume Design, Kenneth Posner -Lighting Design, Brian Ronan – Sound Design, Finn Ross and Adam Young – Video Design, Josh Marquette – Hair Design, Mary-Mitchell Campbell – Musical Supervision, and Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting – Casting.

MEAN GIRLS is now booking to 16 February 2025 with over 45,000 tickets at £40 and under, and over 140,000 just-released tickets available. The access performances currently on sale are as follows – Audio Described on Saturday 7 September at 2.30pm, Captioned Performance on Saturday 14 September at 2.30pm and British Sign Language on Saturday 21 September at 2.30pm.

MEAN GIRLS had its world premiere in 2017 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C and opened on Broadway in April 2018 at the August Wilson Theatre to ecstatic responses, where it played to packed houses. The show then went on a hugely successful US tour in 2019 and is currently on its second US tour. The MEAN GIRLS musical film adaptation from Paramount Pictures was released globally in cinemas in January 2024 and was the #1 film at the Box Office in multiple countries including the UK and US.

Originally released in 2004, 20 years ago this April, MEAN GIRLS has had a profound impact on pop-culture for nearly 20 years. Tina Fey’s hilarious and relatable portrayal of high school life struck a chord with audiences across the globe and the film’s whip-smart satire, iconic catchphrases, and unforgettable characters made it a phenomenon that remains a cultural touchstone to this day.

Working with ATG’s Creative Learning Department, MEAN GIRLS will be providing a selection of matinees for schools and community groups who otherwise may not be able to access the show.  To complement this, workshops and Q&As will be made available to these groups that centre around anti-bullying and empowerment. A weekly ticket access scheme will also be announced closer to performances.

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE LONDON RETURN OF
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S
STARLIGHT EXPRESS

www.starlightexpresslondon.com

INTRODUCING:
JEEVAN BRAICH AS RUSTY, KAYNA MONTECILLO AS PEARL, JADE MARVIN AS MOMMA MCCOY,
AL KNOTT AS GREASEBALL, EVE HUMPHREY AS DINAH, TOM PIGRAM AS ELECTRA

PERFORMANCES BEGIN 8 JUNE 2024 AT TROUBADOUR WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE

Start your engines! Rehearsals are underway for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS and today Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals is thrilled to announce the full cast for the new production. The iconic musical is set to make a triumphant return to London from 8 June 2024 at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

STARLIGHT EXPRESS will introduce Jeevan Braich as Rusty, Kayna Montecillo as Pearl, Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy, Al Knott as Greaseball, Eve Humphrey as Dinah and Tom Pigram as Electra.

STARLIGHT EXPRESS casting also includes Ollie Augustin, Charles Butcher, Renz Cardenas, Catherine Cornwall, Jamie Cruttenden, Kelly Downing, Asher Forth, Sam Gallacher, Lucy Glover, Pablo Gómez Jones, Scott Hayward, Lilianna Hendy, Lewis Kidd, Hannah Kiss, Oscar Kong, Emily Martinez, Deearna Mclean, Marianthe Panas, David Peter-Brown, RED, Bethany Rose-Lythgoe, Ashley Rowe, Gary Sheridan, Elly Shaw, Jessica Vaux, Jaydon Vijn, Lara Vina Uzcatia, Sharon Wattis and Ashlyn Weekes. Further casting to be announced.

As a child’s train set magically comes to life and the engines race to become the fastest in the world, Rusty the steam train has little hope of winning until he is inspired by the legend of the ‘Starlight Express’.

Seen by over 20 million people across the world, STARLIGHT EXPRESS is a true theatrical event, fully immersing audiences of all ages inside a world of speed, song and storytelling, as the incredible cast of 40 whizz around and above, performing some of musical theatre’s most beloved songs, including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the iconic Starlight Express. 

STARLIGHT EXPRESS has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, is directed by Luke Sheppard, with set designer Tim Hatley, video designer Andrzej Goulding, costume designer Gabriella Slade, lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designer Gareth Owen, new orchestrations by Matthew Brind, Musical Supervision by Matthew Brind & David Wilson,  Musical Direction by Laura Bangay and Casting by Pearson Casting.

With thrilling new choreography by Ashley Nottingham, STARLIGHT EXPRESS also sees the return of Arlene Phillips as creative dramaturg.

The Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is a state-of-the-art cultural destination in Wembley Park, London’s most exciting new neighbourhood, only 12 minutes from central London. The venue is a short 5-minute walk from the tube, moments away from iconic Olympic Way. There are great parking options on site and the theatre is easily accessible via the M25 and M1.

LISTINGS

Performances
Performances from Saturday 8 June 2024
Opening Night: Sunday 30 June at 5:30pm

For Information
www.starlightexpresslondon.com

Social Media
Facebook, Instgram and Tik Tok @starlightexpressldn
X – StarlightLondon

Press contacts:

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 30th March 2024

Reviewed by Steph Lott

4****

Following the success of Cluedo two years ago, murder is afoot once again at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks have taken the classic Cluedo board game and given it a delightfully meta twist in their hilarious whodunit play “Cluedo 2- the Next Chapter“. It’s a riotous blend of slapstick humour, clever wordplay, and affectionate parody of murder mystery tropes.

The scene is set in the 1960s, in a different old house with a fresh set of secret passageways! The iconic Cluedo characters have reassembled for another evening of murder and mayhem.

At the centre of the zany proceedings is Wadsworth, the Butler (but I’m not a butler!) played with impeccable comic timing by Jack Bennett. Bennett shines in this role, deftly navigating the wordplay and physical humour with a master’s touch and his performance results in many of the play’s biggest laughs.

Dawn Buckland is equally brilliant as the sinister but wacky Mrs. White. Buckland’s masterful command of comedic delivery keeps the laughs rolling in scene after scene and cement her as an audience favourite.

The entire ensemble shines, with further standout performances from Jason Durr as the southern gentleman Colonel Mustard, and Ellie Leach as the vampish Miss Scarlett.

Director Mark Bell, who directed the first Cluedo play, deserves high praise for maintaining a breakneck stylish pace that never lets the energy lag. The play zips along with perfect comic timing, punctuated by split-second sight gags and impeccably choreographed physical comedy.

The ingenious set design by David Farley adds immeasurably to the fun. The constantly shifting floorplan keeps the audience guessing and adds to the meta-farcical nature of the proceedings.

While the plot itself is relatively straightforward (at least by Cluedo standards), the real joy lies in the archetypal characters’ irreverent awareness of their own contrived circumstances. Gran and Marks have crafted a smart, self-referential script that never takes itself too seriously, while still maintaining a genuine affection for the source material.

Although the premise of “Cluedo 2” may be familiar to fans of the original game, the play’s willingness to lean into the absurd and embrace its own silliness is what sets it apart. From the outrageous character quirks to the over-the-top revelations, the production revels in its own camp sensibilities, inviting the audience to suspend their disbelief and simply enjoy the ride.

In the end, “Cluedo 2” is a testament to the enduring appeal of the murder mystery genre, reimagined with a healthy dose of humour and a great cast. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the board game or simply in the mood for a delightfully absurd evening of theatre, this production is sure to leave you thoroughly entertained.

HERE at Outernet, London – until 29 September 2024

Reviewed by Emily Smith

5*****

Priscilla the Party! is a new West End experience and re-imagining of the musical, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, which has been performed in cities across the world since 2006. Originally based on a book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, before being made into a film of the same name, the show explores poignant themes impacting the drag, non-binary, gay and transgender communities, told through the stories of three friends – Tick/Mitzi (Owain Williams), Bernadette (Dakota Starr) and Adam/Felicia (Reece Kerridge) – who travel on a bus through the Australian outback, finding friendship, love and acceptance along the way.

When you walk into the new venue, HERE at Outernet, you’re transported to the Cockatoo Club in Australia, which is darkly lit with glitterballs across the ceiling, pink, fluorescent signs, and pop music playing, making you feel fully immersed in the drag club where the show begins. It was great to see all the audience members embracing the suggested dress code with face glitter, sequined cowboy hats, flashing disco ball earrings and light-up flower garlands! If you’re unsure what to wear… don’t hold back! And… for anyone who doesn’t have these items lying around at home, they are available to buy at the Merchandise stall.

The experience has three ticket options; you can opt to stand on the main dancefloor, sit to the sides of the dancefloor, or dine on the mezzanine levels and watch from above. We had standing tickets which allowed us to move around freely throughout the performance and choose where to position ourselves. Of course, as is the nature with a dancefloor of people standing, there are people of various heights around you, constantly moving (you’ll see why shortly!) which means visibility is changeable and could be an issue for anyone on the shorter side. It should also be noted that there will be people for whom standing for close to three hours is not comfortable, and who should perhaps opt for seated tickets as there are no additional seats on the dancefloor.

The show itself is split into three acts with two mini intervals to allow for regular breaks. The bar, food, and merchandise stalls at the back of the dancefloor remain open throughout the performance though, allowing people to move freely to refill their drinks and get snacks when they want. There are also several performances before the main show begins, and during the intervals, to keep the audience entertained throughout.

The set itself is simple but utilizes a large screen onstage to project the bus and scenes of the desert. Another incredibly unique aspect of the show is that there are several smaller stages that detach from the main stage and literally move around the dancefloor, around the audience. Of course, this requires great coordination and there is a large team of staff on the dancefloor that intermittently appear to indicate to the standing members where to move, based on where the stages are moving or where the actors are entering/exiting. This adds a dynamic element to your viewing position with the standing audience constantly moving and repositioning, but also frequent change with where the main action is taking place. I thought this was really unique and engaging for the audience – I’ve never seen anything like it! Bravo to Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella for their staging and video design.

The show features well-known and well-loved songs such as It’s Raining Men, I will Survive and, a more recent addition, Born This Way. The musical component of the show has been dialled up to support the dancefloor setting of this Party version, with dialogue from the original production being reduced. While the West End has recently struggled with audiences inappropriately singing along during performances, that isn’t an issue at Priscilla the Party! where singing and dancing along are encouraged (with respect for fellow audience members of course)!

Despite the dialogue being reduced, the heart of the story still shines through with the message of love, support and acceptance being clear throughout. It was an incredibly inclusive and welcoming environment for all! Lots of the audience were chatting to one another in the intervals, hearing about each other’s experiences of this show that has been well-loved for many years.

Now… to the show itself! The entire cast were absolutely incredible and very talented. I particularly enjoyed the three Divas (Grace Galloway, Gracie Lai and Sara Louise) who delivered flawless vocals throughout and who provided the live vocals anytime the drag queens of the production were lip syncing. I think this really added to the authenticity of the show compared with lip syncing to a backing track.

The casting of Benjy (Tick’s son) presents a challenge for the production, with child actors not being the optimal choice for this show. This production cleverly solves that issue by selecting a (potentially) unassuming member of the audience who is thrown on stage and joins the production. This provides both comedy value and solves a problem for the casting team!

Trevor Ashely (Gaye Cliché) reports for hosting responsibilities, opening the show with Get This Party Started before explaining the format of the show to the audience on the dancefloor, offering comedic quips, and then appearing throughout the show in various roles. Owain Williams (Tick/Mitzi), Dakota Starr (Bernadette) and Reece Kerridge (Adam/Felicia) also truly shine in their leading roles in this production.

The glitzy array of costumes and head-dresses by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner were absolutely extraordinary, and Andrew Hallsworth’s choreography was spectacular with the large ensemble filling the stage and runway and providing plenty to look at! The skill of the ensemble to wear such flamboyant and outrageous outfits and perform flawless choreography and deliver incredible vocals still amazes me! Overall, Simon Phillips has done an excellent job directing this production.

This is not your ordinary West End show – it truly is an experience – a party not to be missed!

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London – until 26 March 2024

Reviewed by Emily Smith

3***

The world premiere of Wild About You took place at the stunning Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday night, with the audience full of anticipation to see this musical staged, in concert, for the first time ever. This production, in London for two nights only, follows a 29-hour read-through in March 2023 and cast recording released in November 2023 that featured the vocals of theatrical royalty, such as Lea Salonga.

The star-studded cast of six West End and global theatre heavyweights included Rachel Tucker as Olivia, Eric McCormack as Michael, Oliver Thompsett as Thomas, Tori Allen-Martin as Jessica, Jamie Muscato as Billy and Todrick Hall as Nurse Shae/Robin. To include all the cast’s theatre credits would take up too much space here, but suffice to say, they are incredibly talented and experienced performers and it was a pleasure to see them come together in this production. Each stole the show, which seems as though it should be impossible, yet, it happened!

The plot, based on a book by Eric Holmes, centres around Olivia who wakes up in a hospital having lost her memory. What follows is a series of cut scenes through her past which explore the intricacies of her romantic relationships, and that of her relationship with her son. The entangled stories explored in this production highlight the complexities of human relationships; those we form when we are here, and the lasting impressions we leave behind when we are gone.

The set design by Justin Williams was more substantial than I had imaged it would be considering this was a musical ‘in concert’. The stage was divided into three main scenes with semi-transparent panels at the rear which periodically featured cast members looming somewhat ominously behind them. Generally, I found this simple staging very effective for the purposes of the production – it was more than ‘in concert’, yet not a fully staged version either.

Rachel Tucker, who remains onstage almost throughout the entire duration, delivered an enchanting performance as Olivia, showing incredible stamina and flawless vocals, cementing her position as one of the greatest performers of our time (and my personal favourite!). Her rendition of What I leave behind was beautiful yet powerful – a real highlight. She was authentic and captivating all at once.

Oliver Tompsett was a fantastic Thomas; his smooth vocals were those of a true West End leading man. I really enjoyed his beautiful duets with Tucker that were reminiscent of Elphaba and Fiyero’s As long as you’re mine (despite the two never performing together during their respective stints in Wicked). While Jamie Muscato (Billy) doesn’t enter until Act 2, he brought a new burst of energy to the performance and was an incredible performer delivering effortless vocals.

Todrick Hall (Nurse Shay/Robin) was another stand-out of the evening with his comedic timing and reactions to the scenes as they unfolded leaving the audience laughing away and feeling engaged with the performance. He was a real star.

Unfortunately, the majority of the songs by Chilina Kennedy were not memorable, each sounding similar to the previous and none leaving a lasting impression. This becomes more apparent when you consider other West End shows with songs that are stuck in your head for days afterwards. The titular song of the show Wild about you, for example, did not feel integral enough to the storyline to be the title of the show, but that being said, there were some well-written numbers that did fit the storyflow well and showed promise.

The show has a good heart yet feels disjointed and disconnected in parts. In my opinion, the audience never fully feels the depth of the relationships that are explored which, if developed further, would lead to more emotional investment from the audience.

There were also a few teething issues such as microphones not being turned on at the appropriate times and audio issues making it difficult to hear the words the cast were singing, potentially an imbalance in the volume of the live band versus the cast’s microphones. That being said, the live band was brilliant throughout.

Overall, the cast delivered a performance that I am sure made everyone involved in bringing this production to life very proud indeed, and I am honoured to have attended the world premiere.

Southampton Mayflower – until 30th March 2024

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash hit Jesus Christ Superstar hits Southampton during Holy Week-making it a great week to see this rock concert extravaganza. 

We follow the final days of Jesus’ (Luke Street) life, through the eyes of Judas (Shem Omari James). A brilliant cross adorns the stage, almost cutting it directly in half, with the band stood either side-almost as if up in the gods! We witness the betrayal, crucifixion and rising of Jesus whilst being lashed with song after song-all sang fairly well. There were a few points where the integrity of the songs was lost, due to the use of handheld microphones, thus leaving me unsure of the words being sung. This however, did not detract from the ensemble who did a perfect job of additional vocals and all of these performers would be considered a triple threat in this industry! The stand out ensemble member, was Jordan Michael Todd as ‘Simon’. His vocals during ‘Simon Zealotes’ were superb and he was truly captivating. Street and James as Jesus and Judas also gave some great vocals and Street’s portrayal of the lashings and crucifixion was very well done. Adding some very much needed humour to this heavy piece, was Timo Tatzber as ‘Herod’. This was my favourite song during the performance and he lifted what was an extremely ominous mood. Hannah Richardson as ‘Mary Magdalene’ was good, but I found it hard to believe the performance at some points-her voice during the iconic ‘I don’t know how to love him’ was good, but I felt myself wanting more emotion during this from her. Jad Habachi as Caiaphas added a knee-trembling bass which was pitch perfect at every point! 

Choreographed by Christopher Tendai, this was a mixture of ballet, contemporary and street dance. For me, the dancing became a little bit intrusive and busy, leaving me unsure as to what section I was to be focusing on. Head of Wardrobe Claire Tucker added a modern twist on the costumes, and I really enjoyed the choices that were made. 

This is a good show, dealing with a hard hitting subject and it does so well. If you want to know what’s the buzz, head on down to the Mayflower